Crosstown Shootout official thread

[BearcatShane]

Go Bearcats!

[NorrisHopper30]

Go Bearcats!

[Redlegs23]

Go Bearcats!

[Buckeye33]

Go Bucks!

[Chip R]

I see UC has red unis on. Does that mean they have to forfeit a time out? ;)

[Boston Red]

UC LOSES. Always a good thing!

[Matt700wlw]

Pretty much as expected.....I never thought the good little Jesuit boys would have 4 Technical Fouls, though...

Still trying to get used to X being the "big dog" in this town....

[Boston Red]

Pretty much as expected.....I never thought the good little Jesuit boys would have 4 Technical Fouls, though...



The rivalry might have died down a bit with the fans, but man, those players seem to hate each other. Makes for fun TV once a year.

[Matt700wlw]

The rivalry is alive and well...even though the villan is gone.

[DoogMinAmo]

Pretty much as expected.....I never thought the good little Jesuit boys would have 4 Technical Fouls, though...

Still trying to get used to X being the "big dog" in this town....

hmmm.

I really struggle with this recent crowning of Xavier by not just you. Some points that make me quetion the validity of the statement:

1. Before this year the home team had won the last 5 shootouts.

2. While many things in life are often cyclical, it is very rare that rivalry games are indicative of one team's talent or stance nationally. It proves that on that particular night, they played as a better team. Remember that in Huggs' years the UC teams were almost always ranked high, and Xavier managed to win a few they shouldn't have. They (XU) weren't big dog then.

3. What UC is recovering from vs. the steady building of the Xavier program CURRENTLY has these two programs in different states. It is far from fair to judge based on the Cronin rebulding years and say that roles have reversed.

That being said, Xavier was and is a better team, and deserved to win the game. It was nice to see everyone freaking out about UC basketball again, although last night was unfortunately not the best billboard of what Mick is achieving. He is building a team with a lot of talent, but unfortunately they are currently weak at PG, and very inexperienced.

Next year and the year after, the shootout will become an even better (closer) game, and one far more indicative of true bragging rights and stature.

[Boston Red]

Well, this says it's the OFFICIAL Crosstown Shootout thread, so we better use this one. This is one of the better Crosstown Shootouts ever in terms of quality of both teams coming in. At least on paper. Be prepared for lots of fight talk with this being the first Shootout in the Cintas Center since, you know. Should be a good one. I'd expect Xavier to be favored by 5 or 6 when the line comes out.

[texasdave]

Well, this says it's the OFFICIAL Crosstown Shootout thread, so we better use this one. This is one of the better Crosstown Shootouts ever in terms of quality of both teams coming in. At least on paper. Be prepared for lots of fight talk with this being the first Shootout in the Cintas Center since, you know. Should be a good one. I'd expect Xavier to be favored by 5 or 6 when the line comes out.

UC in a nailbiter. That's what my heart says anyway.

[OldRightHander]

Good start.

[Boston Red]

Got a little too close for comfort there in the second half, but always fun to win this game by double digits.

[dabvu2498]

Xavier is a top 10 team. It's going to take a monster effort to beat them on that floor.

UC doesn't look terrible when they run offense.

[Boston Red]

Three weeks ago you could have had Xavier at 200-1 to win it all. Wish I had put a 10 spot on that. Haven't looked lately, but I assume ne would be lucky to get 20-1 right now.

[Boston Red]

Bumping for tonight. This rivalry seems to have lost a bit of its former luster, but tonight is actually one of the better matchups in the history of the series in terms of the strength of both teams. It would be better if Xavier hadn't sucked a bit of late, but you cannot have everything. Should be a good one, but until Xavier actually beats someone with a pulse on the road, I cannot have a whole lot of confidence in the Muskies' ability to win games like this one. Granted, it's kind of amazing that this UC team is only the fourth best team Xavier will have played on the road after tonight, but I'm afraid it will be 0-4 in those games.

[Boston Red]

Well, this says it's the OFFICIAL Crosstown Shootout thread, so we better use this one. This is one of the better Crosstown Shootouts ever in terms of quality of both teams coming in. At least on paper. Be prepared for lots of fight talk with this being the first Shootout in the Cintas Center since, you know. Should be a good one. I'd expect Xavier to be favored by 5 or 6 when the line comes out.

Just read what I posted a year and a bit over a year ago. I should probably avoid plagarizing myself.

[Sea Ray]

Guess we don't have too many Xavier or UC fans around here. I thought it was an excellent game. The ESPN announcers said that it was the most fun game they've done all season. Historic game for X's Bluiett. Glad to see UC get the win. It's too bad that UC doesn't play more good teams

[texasdave]

Bearcats are up to #14 in the latest (AP) poll.

[texasdave]

The Bearcats eke out a win on the road, 57-55 over Tulsa. Cincinnati trailed 52-41 with 6 minutes to play, before rallying for the win. Troy Caupain scored 5 points in the final minute to give the Bearcats the win. Cincy's win streak is now 13, and they are 20-2 on the season. Sippin' Mick might be Guzzlin' Mick after tonight's performance.

[Sea Ray]

The Bearcats eke out a win on the road, 57-55 over Tulsa. Cincinnati trailed 52-41 with 6 minutes to play, before rallying for the win. Troy Caupain scored 5 points in the final minute to give the Bearcats the win. Cincy's win streak is now 13, and they are 20-2 on the season. Sippin' Mick might be Guzzlin' Mick after tonight's performance.

I thought they played horribly for 35 mins. I also think Tulsa couldn't handle prosperity and choked down the stretch but it was a very nice come from behind win for the Bearcats. They showed poise and a gut check that they passed. With this schedule I was wondering if they'd even have a chance to show such intestinal fortitude.

[texasdave]

Good day for the Bearcats. They beat UConn. Xavier beats #22 Creighton. Iowa State beats #3 Kansas.

[reds1869]

Guess we don't have too many Xavier or UC fans around here. I thought it was an excellent game. The ESPN announcers said that it was the most fun game they've done all season. Historic game for X's Bluiett. Glad to see UC get the win. It's too bad that UC doesn't play more good teams

As a Xavier fan I don't even think to look here. I always go to Xavier Hoops. Several other Reds Zoners are also regulars there.

[texasdave]

Cincinnati is knocking on the Top 10 in both the AP and Coaches polls. They are ranked 11th in both.

Xavier snuck back inside the Top 25 in both polls after briefly dropping out. 25/24.

SMU is now in the Top 25 in the AP, resting in 25th position.

[Sea Ray]

Cincinnati is knocking on the Top 10 in both the AP and Coaches polls. They are ranked 11th in both.

I'll be at the game on Wednesday. It's a late one. Of course the big one is this weekend

[texasdave]

All of the ducks are in a row, and it is on to the matchup-of-the-season for the Bearcats. SMU on the road. I like the Bearcats' chances in this one. 62-59. A result either way wouldn't surprise me however.

[Sea Ray]

Biggest game of the year coming up for UC on Sunday at SMU. And they can't rest easy after that either. I see their most challenging part of the schedule yet to come. Games at UConn and UCF will demand that UC play well in order to win. All in all they still have games vs the 2------>7 teams in their mediocre conference. I wouldn't be surprised to see them drop a couple before conference tournament time. Let's hope they can pull off a big win in Texas this weekend to give them some breathing room.

[Boston Red]

They have to win today if they want a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament. They're outside the top 16 for now, and today is the last chance of the regular season to move up.

[Sea Ray]

They have to win today if they want a decent seed in the NCAA Tournament. They're outside the top 16 for now, and today is the last chance of the regular season to move up.

Going into the game today they were inside the top 16 according to Joe Lunardi and RPI. Even with the loss I think they have a great shot at a 4 or better seed

[Boston Red]

The Selection Committee put out their "official" top 4 seeds for each region yesterday. UC wasn't in it.

[texasdave]

Bearcats beat UConn for the third time this season to move to 29-4 on the season. Tomorrow they play SMU for the AAC Championship. Each team has won on its own home floor. Neutral court for this one. I imagine there are seeding implications. UC got zero points from 2 starters this afternoon (Washington and Johnson), but still managed to win. Gary Clark played strong. Jacob Evans, in my amateur opinion will play in the NBA. He scored 21 points on just 7 shots, I believe. Jarron Cumberland is going to be a good one.

[Sea Ray]

Interesting that SMU beat UC handily yet ended up with an identical seed. Makes it seem like the AAC Championship game actually meant nothing in terms of the NCAA Tournament.

[Revering4Blue]

I actually like the Bearcat's NCAA draw, but I'd root for K State over Wake Forest in their play-in game for the right to face the Bearcats; while neither K State or Wake are strong defensively -- in fact, they're both weak defensively -- Wake is better offensively and features a big man (John Collins) sure to be an NBA first rounder.

If they're fortunate to survive their first NCAA game, I also like their chances against UCLA -- a team that is really weak defensively and hasn't faced a defense like Cincy's in quite awhile. As an aside, ESPN Insider's bracket predictor tool has the Bearcats defeating UCLA in simulations far more often than losing to them -- take that, FWIW.

[paintmered]

Interesting that SMU beat UC handily yet ended up with an identical seed. Makes it seem like the AAC Championship game actually meant nothing in terms of the NCAA Tournament.

UC had a slightly better resume outside of losing the rubber match with SMU.

[Sea Ray]

UC had a slightly better resume outside of losing the rubber match with SMU.

I figured they had a slightly worse resume going into that rubber match given the loss to UCF

[texasdave]

Kudos to the Bearcats on their 30-win season. UC could be even better next season. They lose their starting backcourt, but Broome and Cumberland might be an upgrade on Caupain and Johnson. Clark, Washington and Evans all (probably) return. All five potential starters can score. That will be nice. Hats off to graduating seniors Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson and Zack Tobler.

[Sea Ray]

Kudos to the Bearcats on their 30-win season. UC could be even better next season. They lose their starting backcourt, but Broome and Cumberland might be an upgrade on Caupain and Johnson. Clark, Washington and Evans all (probably) return. All five potential starters can score. That will be nice. Hats off to graduating seniors Troy Caupain, Kevin Johnson and Zack Tobler.

Yes, a very good year indeed. I hope they get better next year and I hope the same for the AAC. I think they drew the best #3 seed in the tournament

[Boston Red]

Today is a great day to hate your neighbors.

[Sea Ray]

Here's to hoping that UC turns over a new leaf in this rivalry in their new building

[Boston Red]

Here's to hoping that UC turns over a new leaf in this rivalry in their new building

By losing by 30+? Totally agree.

[paintmered]

By losing by 30+? Totally agree.

How about by holding Xavier to 47? :D

[Boston Red]

Well, Xavier cant win EVERY year (unfortunately).

[Sea Ray]

By losing by 30+? Totally agree.

You picked the wrong yr to talk smack. UC looked great.

The best thing I can say about Xavier is that they gave us the Bengals patented Dead Cat Bounce after they were already blown out.

UC dressed for the Christmas season. Xavier dressed for Al Davis

[Boston Red]

Talk smack? Where? Hoping Xavier wins by 30 is smack talk? Weird.

[Sea Ray]

Talk smack? Where? Hoping Xavier wins by 30 is smack talk? Weird.

You thought I was hoping UC would lose by 30? No, it was smack on your part. But I will give you kudos for showing up after this debacle by your fellow Catholic boys.

[Boston Red]

Yeah, that's not smack. I dont really wish UC ill will unless they're playing X or the Shockers.

Also doubt there are many actual Catholics on the Xavier squad.

[Sea Ray]

Yeah, that's not smack. I dont really wish UC ill will unless they're playing X or the Shockers.

Also doubt there are many actual Catholics on the Xavier squad.

Talking smack isn't the same as wishing anyone ill will. I agree that you were never wishing ill will. That was never the issue

[texasdave]

The cream always rises. No matter how many years it takes. =)

[Boston Red]

The cream always rises. No matter how many years it takes. =)

Hopefully only one. (Now THAT's kind of smack talk :) ).

[Boston Red]

It's time! All the old villains are gone, so it's time to create a new generation of crosstown villains.

[texasdave]

XU will likely put a foot to the Bearcats' backside, much to my chagrin.

[Todd Gack]

XU will likely put a foot to the Bearcats' backside, much to my chagrin.

I'd agree. Thankfully, I blocked a 'friend' on Twitter who's an 'X' fan because he was still tweeting about Mick's losses at UCLA. It'll be traumatizing for X fans to not have someone on UC's bench they can vilify. They might actually have to be cordial this year.

[Boston Red]

Cordial?!? To UC?!? God, no. It's not the Crosstown Loveout.

[Bob Sheed]

UC this season is one of those teams that seem to get better with each game. There's no question an upset is possible.

[Todd Gack]

Cordial?!? To UC?!? God, no. It's not the Crosstown Loveout.

Oh, the nerds at X will still find someone to hate. I just don't know who it will be.

- - - Updated - - -


UC this season is one of those teams that seem to get better with each game. There's no question an upset is possible.


New System, new players, new coach. It's a recipe for a team who can get better as the year drags along. Brannen's style is more suited for March and we have the players who are more suited as well. Either way, I'm excited for him as coach. We just have to be patient with him.

[Boston Red]

I have obviously paid attention to all the Shootouts, but I hadn't really realized until someone brought it up to me today that UC has only won once in Cintas Center ever and that it was 18 years ago. Kind of crazy, really.

[North]

If you are interested, there is a half hour show about the rivalry on the Fox Sports Ohio channel at 6 PM tonight, Friday 12/6.

[Boston Red]

As of halftime...not very impressed with either squad. Could easily go either way at this point.

[Boston Red]

Glad to have a Xavier win. But UC is pretty not good.

[Boston Red]

Should be a good one tomorrow. UC is a slight favorite (1.5 points last I saw), but Xavier got three key (well, I expect at least two of them to be key) players back for tomorrow (including Kunkel, the N Ky native transfer from Belmont). No idea what to expect from either team, but that should add to the fun.

[texasdave]

XU has played five game to the Bearcats one. So, continuity might be on their side.

[Boston Red]

Entertaining game for two teams that I don't think are particularly great. I like the Xavier young guys, but I think they'll struggle in the Big East this year. But always nice to get this win.

[wolfboy]

Entertaining game for two teams that I don't think are particularly great. I like the Xavier young guys, but I think they'll struggle in the Big East this year. But always nice to get this win.

Good way to characterize it. I think both teams will improve as the season goes on.

[texasdave]

It's only been two games, but this looks like another Bearcats' squad that can't shoot for anything. 60.7% from the line. 20.9% from three. 43.7% from the field. If you cannot knock down open threes in today's game, you're gonna bump your head on your ceiling awfully quickly.

Keith Williams has all the athletic ability in the world. He simply can't put the ball into the hoop.

[texasdave]

I was perusing the box score, when I noticed that Xavier tied an all-time collegiate basketball record. ZERO offensive rebounds.

[texasdave]

The Bearcats squeak out a win over the Paladins of Furman. Not all that impressed by Coach John Brannen. This team better improve by leaps and bounds.

[Boston Red]

They did cover the 3.5 point spread.

[Boston Red]

Xavier decided to murder Oklahoma. That was unexpected.

[texasdave]

Tennessee downs the Bearcats 65-56. The Vols should be sporting a new fieldhouse after that brickfest.

[texasdave]

The Bearcats seem to play a lot of these down-to-the-wire games. This one did not turn out so well, as UC loses, at home, to the South Florida Bulls 74-71.

[Boston Red]

That's....not a good loss. Never good to lose to a Brian Gregory coached squad.

[Boston Red]

This has been fun. Wes Miller (who I actually like) should get it now. His comments during the week were kind of goofy and indicated to me that he didn't understand what he was about to go into.

[Boston Red]

Fire up your computers or other streaming devices (which, you know, generally includes TVs nowadays): Crosstown Shooutout 2024 is ESPN+ only.

[Sea Ray]

Fire up your computers or other streaming devices (which, you know, generally includes TVs nowadays): Crosstown Shooutout 2024 is ESPN+ only.

That sucks


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[Boston Red]

It's that time of year! UC should be a signifcant favorite in this game for the first time in a while as it appears UC is relatively competent this year while Xavier is....not.

Big game for both teams, really. The loser of this game will (or should) feel like they had a pretty poor non-conference showing. The winner of this game will have the only quality non-conference win combined between the two programs this year.

[Sea Ray]

It's that time of year! UC should be a signifcant favorite in this game for the first time in a while as it appears UC is relatively competent this year while Xavier is....not.

Big game for both teams, really. The loser of this game will (or should) feel like they had a pretty poor non-conference showing. The winner of this game will have the only quality non-conference win combined between the two programs this year.

I think the game's only available on ESPN+ this year, making it tough for many to watch. Until they show me differently, I assume X will win. X did double up on their cupcake opponent last night and UC appears to be overranked

[Boston Red]

A big win by X on Friday gets Wes Miller on the next bus out of town. Win/win!

Xavier is bad this year, but I still think the Muskies take the Bearcats at home.

[Sea Ray]

A big win by X on Friday gets Wes Miller on the next bus out of town. Win/win!

Xavier is bad this year, but I still think the Muskies take the Bearcats at home.

X is pretty bad this year. I think this will be one of UC's easier wins in this series. If I'm wrong then yeah, get Wes Miller out of town

[Boston Red]

You say that, but Xavier will either be favored or it will be a pick 'em Friday night.

[Boston Red]

Xavier opens as a 1.5 point favorite.

[Boston Red]

I didn't realize UC hadn't won in Cintas since 2001. That's crazy. David West played in that game (until he got hurt).

[Boston Red]

We're even getting good pregame coverage on TNT. Nice.

[Sea Ray]

You say that, but Xavier will either be favored or it will be a pick 'em Friday night.

You sure called this game. Did I over rank UC or underrate Xavier?

Assuming UC misses the tournament, Wes Miller’s gotta be fired. Enough’s enough


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[Boston Red]

You sure called this game. Did I over rank UC or underrate Xavier?

Assuming UC misses the tournament, Wes Miller’s gotta be fired. Enough’s enough


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Probably a little of both. Xavier has been playing much better since their opening stretch, and UC definitely is underperforming their talent level. On a neutral court, I think UC is clearly better, but that was a tough environment for a road team. I think that energy helps role players step up, and Xavier definitely had some bench guys give better minutes than normal.

I agree Wes has to be out after this year unless there's a crazy turnaround. I really thought he was a good hire at the time. You just never know.

[Sea Ray]

Probably a little of both. Xavier has been playing much better since their opening stretch, and UC definitely is underperforming their talent level. On a neutral court, I think UC is clearly better, but that was a tough environment for a road team. I think that energy helps role players step up, and Xavier definitely had some bench guys give better minutes than normal.

I agree Wes has to be out after this year unless there's a crazy turnaround. I really thought he was a good hire at the time. You just never know.

Are either of these teams making the tournament?


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[Boston Red]

Are either of these teams making the tournament?


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Probably not. Xavier has a better shot with the head to head win and a softer Big East this year. The Big XII is an absolute gauntlet this year.

[Boston Red]

Xavier just lost by 40 to Creighton at home. Don't think there's going to be any Queen City NCAA Tournament participants this season.

[Sea Ray]

Xavier just lost by 40 to Creighton at home. Don't think there's going to be any Queen City NCAA Tournament participants this season.

Can’t believe UC couldn’t do better than they did at the Cintas


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[LiferJim]

Can’t believe UC couldn’t do better than they did at the Cintas


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UC might be a little better with Jizzle James back. He came off the bench to score 16 points in 20 minutes, during tonight’s 88-51 win against the weak Alabama State team.


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[Boston Red]

Xavier came back from the Creighton loss and won at Georgetown yesterday. That angered Ed Cooley so much he launched a water bottle into the crowd and smoked a toddler.